Knowing that Hashem is in our midst

The final five pasukim of Parashat Tetzaveh focus our attention on the underlying purpose of the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting):

“… at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting before the L-rd, where I will arrange meetings with you (asher eva’ade lachem shamah), to speak to you there.

“There I will make Myself known (v’no’adati shamah) to the children of Israel, and it will be sanctified by My glory.

“I will sanctify (v’kidashti) the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and I will sanctify Aaron and his sons to serve Me [as kohanim].

“I will dwell (v’shechanti) in the midst of the children of Israel and I will be their G-d.

“They will know (v’yaidu) that I, the L-rd, am their G-d, Who brought them out of the land of Egypt in order that I may dwell in their midst; I am the L-rd, their G-d. (Shemot 29:42-46)

A careful reading of these verses provides us with an understanding of the Ohel Moed as a unique dwelling wherein Hashem revealed his Divine presence during meetings with the Jewish people. These encounters brought kedushah to the Ohel Moed, and to the kohanim who served Him there. In addition, this passage continues a familiar theme that was introduced in Parashat Ki Tisa, “And they shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst” (25:8), and adds the highly significant words, “and I will be their G-d.” The final pasuk informs us that the Ohel Moed served as the glory-filled place for the Almighty, from which He taught us that it was He, and none other, who redeemed us from the shackles of Egyptian servitude in order to dwell in our midst.

The Malbim (Rabbi Meir Leibush ben Yechiel Michel, 1809-1879), widely considered to be one of the greatest and most perceptive Tanach commentators, offers an enlightening analysis of our passage. In his view, these verses contain a number of core concepts regarding the singular import of our people’s worship in the Ohel Moed, and by extension, the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple), as found in the words asher eva’ade lachem shamah, v’no’adati shamah, v’kidashti, v’shechanti and v’yaidu.

Our author begins by noting that the avodah (Temple service) generated “an unceasing flow of nevuah (prophecy) amongst our nation.” This idea, he maintains, is intimated by the phrase, “asher eva’ade lachem shamah,” and refers to “Hashem’s communications with Moses from between the cherubim that were shared with the Jewish people, [since] all communications were [ultimately] for the [sake of our] nation.”

The Malbim continues his analysis and interprets the expression, “v’no’adati shamah,” as referring to Hashem’s ongoing revelation to our nation during the course of the avodah. He suggests that this interpretation is buttressed by the following complementary pasuk from Sefer Vayikra: “And Moses said, ‘This is the thing the L-rd has commanded; do [i.e. the avodah,] and the glory of the L-rd will appear to you.” (9:6)

“The subject matter of this expression teaches us that through the avodah, the Ohel Moed and its vessels were sanctified, since it was the very place wherein the Temple service was undertaken; and Aharon and his sons — who were designated to serve in the holy priestly service - [performed their obligations]. This means that the avodah served a dual purpose: the sanctification of both the Ohel Moed and those who ministered therein [the kohanim].

According to the Malbim, the next term, “v ’shechanti,” teaches us a vital notion regarding the eternal existential bond that links us to the Almighty:

“As a result of the avodah in the Ohel Moed, Hashem’s presence became manifest amongst the entire people until He became their G-d, [precisely because He] placed His divinely revealed immanence amongst them.”

In other words, the experience of the Schechinah (Hashem’s Presence) in the Ohel Moed was similar in kind to that which the Jewish people had encountered at Kriat Yam Suf (the Splitting of the Sea of Reeds). Our Sages teach us that the Holy One’s presence at the Yam Suf was so palpable that we proclaimed as one, “The Eternal’s strength and His power were my salvation; this is my G-d, we could “see and point to Him”] and I will extol Him, the G-d of my father, and I will exalt Him.” (Shemot 15:2)

I believe that the Malbim’s explication of our final term, “v’yaidu,” is an intellectual tour de force in its presentation of the underlying rationale of the Ohel Moed:

“For through this [the Ohel Moed and the avodah therein,] the people would acquire a crystal-clear knowledge that He is their G-d and the One that took them out of Egypt. The purpose of the Exodus, therefore, was none other than to dwell among them in order that they would become the spiritual chariot (G-d’s platform on earth) for His all-powerful immanence (shechinat uzo). Through this knowledge and understanding Hashem would be their G-d and strengthen the connection and the closeness between Himself and the Jewish people — His intimate nation [forevermore].

The Malbim’s final sentence is reminiscent of a well-known bracha that we recite each morning before the recitation of the Shema: “And You have brought us close to Your great Name forever in truth, to offer praiseful thanks to You, and proclaim Your Oneness with love. Blessed are You Hashem, Who chooses His people Israel with love.”

With Hashem’s help and our fervent desire, may we ever be the spiritual chariots for His immanence in this world, so that we may experience His closeness amongst us in the newly rebuilt Beit Hamikdash soon and in our days. V’chane yihi ratzon.